SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 8 out, this is Chapter 9 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Chapter 9: Sortie Orders! Suppress the House of Kasumiōji

"Throughout the generations, the Kasumiōji Clan made fantastic swords highly regarded by the royal family." Yamamoto explained. "The secret to how they forge these swords is a tightly kept secret within the family. And with the passage of time, their loyalties slowly changed. And knowing that we can't touch them when they are under the protection of Central 46, the Kasumiōji Clan began putting their efforts into making deadly, illegal weapons. Now that we have concrete evidence of their treachery, it's only natural for us to make a move."

"Captain-Commander, Tula-sama," Sasakibe addressed his two superiors. "Did you think this would happen if you let the Shinigami Daiko...?"

"Have Captain Kuchiki of the 6th Squad take control of the infiltration." Yamamoto instructed.

"And order the other Squads to follow 3rd Squad's Captain Amagai's lead to storm the Kasumiōji compound." Tula relayed her orders.

In the inner chambers of the Kasumiōji Clan...

"I'm reporting in." one of the Kasumiōji messengers reported to the pacing Kumoi. "Captain-Commander Yamamoto, with Tula-sama's consent, has changed his original order. He's ordered the Gotei 13 to infiltrate our manor."

"What?" Kumoi echoed. "Damn! Central 46 said that this wouldn't happen; they guaranteed my safety. That's why I'm willing to take the risks that accompanied their protection. I've got no choice but to use these now." he opened the hidden armory to reveal the cache of Bakkōtō he had in reserve.

"New orders?" Matsumoto echoed, stopping the fight between her and Rukia when the new orders came in.

"Yes." one of her Squad members confirmed. "We are to restrain the Kasumiōji Clan."

"What's the meaning of this?" Matsumoto wondered. "That's the exact opposite of what we've been doing." "Guess we don't have to fight each other anymore." she kept her Zanpakutō. "Who're they?" the group was suddenly attacked by the Kasumiōji Clan ninjas wielding Bakkōtō.

"Assassins from the Kasumiōji Clan." Rukia fended off her attacker. "They're using a type of katana called Bakkōtō. This is what the Kasumiōji Clan has been hiding."

"I see." Matsumoto nodded. "Growl, Haineko!" she activated her Shikai. "Shūhei!" she recognized the 9th Squad Lieutenant who had parried away the assassins attacking her.

"The Captain-Commander and Tula-sama have issued the order to attack." Hisagi informed his fellow Lieutenant. "There's evidence that the Kasumiōji Clan has been plotting treason. We are to follow Captain Amagai and aid the Shinigami Daiko in storming the Clan compound."

"It's looks like he made it in time." Amagai noted, seeing the throng of Shinigami charging the Kasumiōji compound.

"Captain Hitsugaya," Byakuya Shunpo-ed onto the roof. "I have been ordered to subdue the Kasumiōji Clan. There is evidence that they have been committing treason and breaking taboos. Captain Amagai, please take the lead in storming the Clan compound."

"Understood." Amagai nodded and Shunpo-ed off to carry out his orders.

"Captain." Matsumoto returned to her superior's side. "What is this?"

"Exactly what it looks like." Hitsugaya replied. "This is all part of the Captain-Commander's strategy."

"The Kasumiōji Clan is a noble family with special status." Byakuya explained. "We could not interfere with them unless it was something big."

"The Captain-Commander was already aware that the Kasumiōji Clan was up to no good." Hitsugaya continued. "Kurosaki just happened to get involved in the matter, so he took advantage of the situation. Well, that goes to show how much he believes in his abilities. But I still can't believe that old codger."

"Reporting in." a messenger ninja reported to Kumoi who was storming down the corridor, Bakkōtō in hand, along with two of his guards. "The main gate and the main pavilion are being overrun by the Shinigami. We are trying to fight back, but we won't be able to hold out for long."

"I know that." Kumoi retorted. "You just need to buy me some time. I only need enough time to get into the Bakkōtō smithy."

"Kumoi-sama, a Shinigami has entered the Bakkōtō smithy." another messenger reported in.

"Impossible." Kumoi was shocked. "The barrier there was erected by the royal family. There's no mere way a mere Shinigami could break through it."

In the Bakkōtō smithy...

After Suì-Fēng shattered the barrier, both Kyoraku and Ukitake led their Squads to contain the weaponry forge.

"Damn those filthy Shinigami!" Kumoi growled, his grand plans were falling apart. "The Princess! Bring me Princess Rurichiyo. I've got no choice but to use her as a shield."

"Rurichiyo-sama!" the rest of the Kasumiōji retainers recognized their Clan heiress who had been brought in by Kumoi's guards. "What's the meaning of this, Kumoi? What were you going to do with Rurichiyo-sama?"

Growling, Kumoi turned the Bakkōtō in his hand and stabbed the retainer in front of him. "Finish them off." he ordered his guards.

"Why did you kill our vassals?" Rurichiyo struggled her gag off. "We are the Princess of this Clan. You won't get away from killing our vassals."

"Shut up!" Kumoi grabbed her by the collar of her kimono. "This Clan belongs to me! You're nothing more than a hostage. Don't be such a brat."

"Who are you holding us hostage against?" Rurichiyo demanded. "Who is it you are so afraid of? Just tell us!"

"Shut up!" Kumoi tossed her to the ground.

"Why are you doing this to us?" Rurichiyo glared. "Explain yourself!"

"You brat!" Kumoi dragged her off by the back of her kimono. "Come on. Just be thankful that I'm keeping you alive." he tossed her against the wall.

"We're just a hostage." Rurichiyo reminded. "We can't tell if we should be thankful or not."

"Then how about I help you figure it out?" Kumoi rested the Bakkōtō blade against her neck.

"That's far enough." Ichigo cut in. "Sorry I kept you waiting, Rurichiyo."

"Kill him!" Kumoi ordered his guards.

"Yeah right!" Ichigo snorted, disarming the guards of their Bakkōtō with one attack. "Hand Rurichiyo over."

"Don't move." Kumoi pointed his Bakkōtō at Rurichiyo's neck, just as Rukia and Shu arrived. "I'll kill her if you come any closer."

"Kumoi Gyōkaku, what are you after?" Rukia demanded. "Why did you make the Bakkōtō weapons?"

"That's none of your business." Kumoi retorted.

"He's trying to use the Bakkōtō to destroy the order of Soul Society and become the head of all the nobility." Rurichiyo answered.

"'Kill anyone who gets in the way.'" Kumoi smirked. "That's one of the rules of victory."

"Unforgivable." Ichigo growled.

"I don't need your forgiveness, you damned fool." Kumoi scoffed.

"You're the fool." Rukia retorted. "You're insane to try and become head of the nobility."

"I will to stand on the top of the world, even if it means shortening my life." Kumoi declared. "I'll do anything to make that happen." he pressed the Bakkōtō closer to Rurichiyo's neck. His chuckles was cut short when Amagai burst in from the barred window.

"Captain Amagai, this is the man who's been pulling the strings." Rukia informed the newly arrived Captain.

"So, it would seem." Amagai agreed.

"Ichigo!" Rurichiyo took the opening to run, Amagai letting her through before knocking Kumoi unconscious with a chop to the back of the neck.

"Amagai, why..." Ichigo was shocked.

"Tula-sama's direct orders." Amagai heaved the unconscious retainer over his shoulder. "I'm taking him in for interrogation, before placing him on trial."

Omake: Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide

In the Tea Ceremony Club...

Renji: (Thinking) Why am I here? I suck with stuff like this.

Yachiru: (Opens side door) I'm here for some sweets. (Swallows the bun on the serving plate and downs a whole jug of tea) Thanks a bunch! (Exits via side door)

Yamamoto: Come back anytime.

Renji: (Shocked expression)

SailorStar9: In the next and final chapter, Komoi is sentenced for execution in a closed-door trial by Tula, with Amagai bearing the execution sword. Tula then enforces martial law on every Clan, declaring that each Clan Head is responsible for policing their own individual Clan councils and that the future Central 46 has no authority over the Noble Clans. As the curtain closes down on the Kasumiōji conspiracy, Tula reverses Kisaragi Shin'etsu's conviction and he is given a postmortem pardon.

Now that's done, read and review.